SAN JOSE, Calif., July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The San Jose Sharks is the latest team in professional sports to take the next step into innovation by working with Zeality and VenueNext to deliver a multifaceted application with in-venue functionality and immersive media entertainment value. Zeality’s Immersive Media Engine (IME), which delivers VR/360°, AR and cognitive computing technologies to drive new fan engagement, can now be found in the latest version of the Sharks mobile application. “We are excited to partner with Zeality to deliver next level interaction models to the San Jose Sharks’ fans both in and out of the stadium,” stated John Paul, CEO & Founder at VenueNext, “We know how important driving engagement is to the Sharks and Zeality has rare and unique ways to do that.”

Together, Zeality and VenueNext have enabled the Sharks app to not only serve as a functional tool for digital tickets, concessions, and navigating the SAP Center when at the venue, but also as a destination where fans can access exciting and engaging content in full 360° on their mobile devices. “As a fan of going to sporting events, we like applications to be functional and informative when at the stadium,” Co-Founder & CEO of Zeality, Dipak M. Patel shared. “But we don’t want it to stop there. Fans want to be able to interact with our teams in meaningful and entertaining ways from anywhere.”

“Whether at SAP Center or on the go, our fans can follow the team with our mobile app,” said Doug Bentz, Vice President of Marketing & Digital, San Jose Sharks. “Having Zeality’s IME and VenueNext’s in-venue solutions integrated into our platform takes the app to the next level and brings our fans closer to the team and the game than ever before.” With the unique technical capabilities of both companies, the Sharks can offer new ways for fans to stay fully engaged.

With one of the largest libraries of 360/VR professional sports content, the San Jose Sharks are without a doubt leaders in creating immersive content. To experience the Zeality IME in the Sharks’ application, download it on iTunes or Google Play today or at sjsharks.com/app.